June 1994, and the yellow Dauer Racing 962LeMans road car prototype caused a stir as it cruised around the Sarthe to the delight of car enthusiasts from all over the world. The very next day, the race version of this car won the 1994 24 Hours of Le Mans for Porsche. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since that first car was built, and the definitive version of this earth-bound guided missile is different and better in many ways.

Attention to detail has turned it from a street-legal racer into a thoroughly developed and civilised road going supercar. A plethora of electro-hydraulic systems have been built into the car, so now pneumatic struts hold the doors open and opening and closing the huge engine compartment cover is now power-assisted and at the touch of a button. If you have a ramp on your driveway or need to negotiate a speed bump, pressing another button raises the suspension a couple of inches. The computer that looks after the hydraulic element of the suspension also automatically lowers the car from its raised height if you exceed 50mph (80km/h).

It is also not much fun to have to change gears on a car like this in traffic. Dauer considered many options and in the end came up with a unique transmission that uses the normal 962 manual box and clutch. But instead of using a gear lever, you select ratios via the Tiptronic S style knobs on the steering wheel. More efficient air-cooling, full-leather trim, a detachable steering wheel for easy access and properly detailed luggage compartments in the sills. All these refinements plus better, more comfortable seats have transformed the latest model.